SounDrift EP: a Generative Music Game WIP

SounDrift EP is an experimental generative music+art+game for iPad. Create unique music by interacting with an emergent system and paint the world with shapes of color. SounDrift re-imagines the link between interactivity, music creation and emergence through random background sound generation, touch based input, and collision based audio system changes. One unique thing that I'm doing with a lot of these sounds is using loops of 10 second sounds and then pitch shifting them to .05-.15 which yields really interesting ambient textures. My professors and I believe this app offers a completely new way of composing and listening to non-linear music with a fun game-like approach. This prototype was my final creation for my graduate studies and I wanted to thank GS for providing me with the ability to do this (although I admit the GS audio engine is FAR from what I would like, I have dealt with it using numerous work arounds, but do love the easy positional sound). There will be 4 modes: Nodes, Drift, Multi, and Evolve...

This video has placeholder artwork from my previous game Zeke in Orbit (of which there are many similar concepts on which I'm expanding), but am excited as I just hired a graphic designer! My goal is for the vibe to be similar to Contre Jour, with smoother shapes and glowing animations while keeping many of the particle effects I have here.

I will be submitting this to the IGF in October so I will be working on it in a frenzy this upcoming month. Just wanted to announce it so I can start getting feedback or start a discussion if anyone wants to talk about generative music : )

So you guys like the minimalistic character? I'm going to keep the particles how they are and was thinking of changing up the rest but I'll talk with my artist about whether we need a complete re-skin or not!

@QS, that's not a bad idea to have multiple skins! @Shaz, I like what you're hinting at...I actually plan on having red musical notes that act as "bad guys" and if you run into them they produce dissonance/harsh sounds/Justin Bieber/Call Me Maybe/haunting themes. I'm still working out a bunch of the music and how levels will progress. I'll definitely be hitting you up to beta test!

Anyone know if I'd be violating copyright if I had snippets of call me maybe, justin bieber, friday, etc? I know there is something about using less than 30 seconds or less (plus this would be for comedic/parodic effect).

Two weeks away from submitting to the IGF deadline and I have a lot to do! Right now I'm working on how abstract I want to make the art in my game. Do I want to have a main character with eyes/mouth/etc or is it ok to just have a blob that animates and has a streak like a comet? What are your thoughts on the soft shapes vs hard lines?

Hopefully by next week I'll have another video to show you with a LOT more music/gameplay. Cheers.

Whoa, the IGF has 589 entries! Crazy competition but it's cool to see what everyone is up to in terms of indie games. SounDrift is nearing beta stage and I will be posting here when people can sign up to help me out. For now, here is my entry page on the IGF site: